Slag vs. Flux — What's the Difference?

Formed at the surface of molten metal.

Enhances smelting process.

Contains metal impurities.

Substance added to purify metals.

Waste byproduct of smelting.

Chosen based on ore type.

Can have environmental impact.

Lowers melting point of impurities.

Requires disposal or recycling.

Consumed during smelting.

Slag is the glass-like by-product left over after a desired metal has been separated (i.e., smelted) from its raw ore. Slag is usually a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide.

Flux describes any effect that appears to pass or travel (whether it actually moves or not) through a surface or substance. A flux is a concept in applied mathematics and vector calculus which has many applications to physics.

The vitreous mass left as a residue by the smelting of metallic ore.

The action or process of flowing or flowing out

See scoria.

An abnormal discharge of blood or other matter from or within the body.

To change into or form slag.

Continuous change

Waste material from a mine.

A substance mixed with a solid to lower its melting point, used especially in soldering and brazing metals or to promote vitrification in glass or ceramics.

Scum that forms on the surface of molten metal.

Treat (a metal object) with a flux to promote melting.

Impurities formed and separated out when a metal is smelted from ore; vitrified cinders.

A flow or flowing of a liquid.

Hard aggregate remaining as a residue from blast furnaces, sometimes used as a surfacing material.

The flowing in of the tide.

Scoria associated with a volcano.

A continuing movement, especially in large numbers of things

A coward.

Constant or frequent change; fluctuation

A contemptible person, a scumbag.

(Medicine) The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.

A prostitute, or a woman who acts like one; a slut.

The rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy through a given surface.

(transitive) To produce slag.

See flux density.

(intransitive) To become slag; to agglomerate when heated below the fusion point.

The lines of force of an electric or magnetic field.

(transitive) To reduce to slag.

A substance applied to a surface to be joined by welding, soldering, or brazing to facilitate the flowing of solder and prevent formation of oxides.

To talk badly about; to malign or denigrate (someone).

A mineral added to the metals in a furnace to promote fusing or to prevent the formation of oxides.

To spit.

An additive that improves the flow of plastics during fabrication.

The dross, or recrement, of a metal; also, vitrified cinders.

A readily fusible glass or enamel used as a base in ceramic work.

The scoria of a volcano.

To melt; fuse.

A product of smelting, containing, mostly as silicates, the substances not sought to be produced as matte or metal, and having a lower specific gravity than the latter; - called also, esp. in iron smelting, cinder. The slag of iron blast furnaces is essentially silicate of calcium, magnesium, and aluminium; that of lead and copper smelting furnaces contains iron.

To apply a flux to.

To form, or form into, a slag; to agglomerate when heated below the fusion point.

To become fluid.

The scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals

To flow; stream.

The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream.

A state of ongoing change.

A chemical agent for cleaning metal prior to soldering or welding.

(physics) The rate of transfer of energy (or another physical quantity), especially an electric or magnetic field, through a given surface.

(archaic) A disease which causes diarrhea, especially dysentery.

(archaic) Diarrhea or other fluid discharge from the body.

The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.

(transitive) To use flux on.

(transitive) To melt.

(intransitive) To flow as a liquid.

(uncommon) Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.

The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.

The setting in of the tide toward the shore, - the ebb being called the reflux.

The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.

Any substance or mixture used to promote the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax, lime, fluorite.

A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part; especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the bloody flux or dysentery. See Bloody flux.

The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area of a given surface in a unit of time.

Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.

To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.

To cause to become fluid; to fuse.

To cause a discharge from; to purge.

The rate of flow of energy or particles across a given surface

A flow or discharge

A substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities that can then be readily removed

Excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in watery diarrhea)

A state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action;

The lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particle

(physics) the number of flux changes per unit area

In constant change;

Move or progress freely as if in a stream;

Become liquid or fluid when heated;

Mix together different elements;

After the smelting process, flux is consumed and becomes part of the slag, playing no further role.

Flux is added to the smelting process to lower the melting points of impurities, facilitating their separation and removal from the metal.

Slag is a byproduct of the smelting process, comprising primarily of impurities and waste materials separated from the metal.

Yes, slag can sometimes be recycled and used in construction, road-making, or as a raw material in other industrial processes.

Limestone, silica, and borax are common materials used as flux, depending on the metal being smelted and the impurities present.

Slag cannot be completely eliminated, as it is a necessary byproduct of separating impurities from the metal.

Proper management of slag is important to minimize its environmental impact and to explore opportunities for its recycling and reuse.

The composition of slag varies depending on the type of metal being smelted and the specific impurities present in the ore.

Flux is chosen based on the type of ore being processed and the specific impurities that need to be removed.

By lowering the melting points of impurities and facilitating their removal, flux makes the smelting process more efficient and improves the quality of the metal produced.

Slag can have environmental impacts if not properly managed, due to the heavy metals and other pollutants it may contain.

In the circular economy, slag can play a significant role by being recycled and used as a raw material in various industries, thereby reducing waste and conserving resources.

Flux helps produce higher-quality metal by ensuring that impurities are efficiently removed during the smelting process.

Flux consumption can be optimized by carefully calculating the amount needed based on the ore composition and desired metal purity.

Disposing of slag involves ensuring that it does not leach harmful chemicals into the environment and finding ways to recycle or repurpose it when possible.